从文体学角度看中文合同的英译

论文摘要

随着改革开放的不断深化和申请入世的成功,我国在国际经济活中活力倍增,与世界许多国家的经贸交流和合作日益频繁。在涉外经济与商业合作中,双方通过谈判或函电协商达成协议后,大都需要另行签订正式的书面文件—合同,以作为某项法律行为成立的依据。这类合同需要英汉两种版本,因此大多需要翻译。在合同翻译实践中,笔者发现中文合同英译是一个难点,因为合同英语不同于日常英语,专业性极强,表现出独特的文体特征。有鉴于此,笔者在研读有关著述和论文的基础上,从合同的界定及合同英语的文体特征入手,着重探讨了合同英译的标准、技巧以及对合同译者的要求等诸方面,意在抛砖引玉,受教于大方之家,亦希望能对这一领域的翻译进行深入讨论。本文共分为五章。第一章是合同概述,简要介绍了合同的定义、种类和结构,旨在为下文论述打下一个背景基础。第二章基于文体学概念和文体学研究的必要性,概括出合同英语的四个文体特征,并从词汇、语法和语义方面分别举例论证,为探讨中文合同的英译奠定了基础。第三章是中国传统翻译标准与西方翻译标准的比较。通过比较,这一章为下一章的进一步分析和发现提供了理论基础。第四章分析归纳出中文合同英译的技巧,并配有较为典型而切实有用的例证。第五章提出从事合同翻译的建议并对全文作了总结。

论文目录

• Abstract
• 摘要
• Introduction
• Chapter One A Brief Introduction of Contract
• 1.1 Concept of Contract
• 1.1.1 Contract defined
• 1.1.2 Contract categories
• 1.2 Essentials of Contract
• 1.2.1 Offer
• 1.2.1.1 Definition of Offer
• 1.2.1.2 Termination of Offer
• 1.2.2 Acceptance
• 1.2.3 Consideration and Contractual Intention
• 1.2.3.1 Consideration
• 1.2.3.2 Contractual Intention
• 1.2.4 Competency
• 1.2.5 Reality of Consent
• 1.2.5.1 Mistake
• 1.2.5.2 Fraud and Misrepresentation
• 1.3 Perform and Remedies
• 1.3.1 Breach of contract
• 1.3.2 Termination and discharge of contractual duties
• 1.3.3 Discharge of Contract
• 1.3.4 Damages
• Chapter Two Stylistic Features of Contract English
• 2.1 Definition and Aims of Stylistics
• 2.2 Stylistic Study
• 2.2.1 Stylistic Study Helps Cultivate a Sense of Appropriateness
• 2.2.2 Stylistic Study Sharpens Understanding and Appreciation of a Text
• 2.2.3 Stylistic Study Helps Achieve Adaptation in Translation
• 2.3 Stylistic Features of Contract English
• 2.3.1 Conventionalization and Itemization in Discourse Pattern
• 2.3.2 Accuracy and Precision
• 2.3.2.1 Strings of Synonymous Words
• 2.3.2.2 Preference for Lexical Repetition to Pronoun Reference
• 2.3.2.3 Long Sentences
• 2.3.3 Formality and Dignity
• 2.3.3.1 Frequent Employment of Archaic Words
• 2.3.3.2 Loan Words
• 2.3.3.3 Technical Terms
• 2.3.4 Conservatism and Stability
• Chapter Three Traditional Chinese Translation Criteria Vs. Western Translation Principle
• 3.1 Traditional Chinese Translation Criteria
• 3.2 Western General Translation Principle
• 3.2.1 Hans J Vermeer’s View on Legal Translation
• 3.2.2 Eugene. Nida’s View on Legal Translation
• 3.2.3 Peter Newmark’s View on Legal Translation
• 3.2.3.1 Types of Legal Texts
• 3.2.3.2 The Definition of Semantic and Communicative Translation
• 3.2.3.3 The Differences Between Semantic and Communicative Translation
• 3.2.3.4 The Limitations of Newmark's Communicative Translation for Legal Translation
• 3.2.3.5 Lega1 Texts Have Vocative Function
• 3.3 Two Goals of Legal Translation
• 3.3.1 The Presumption of Equal Meaning Is An Illusion in Legal Translation （Sarcevic,1997）
• 3.3.2 The Presumption of Equal Intent （Sarcevic, 1997）
• 3.3.3 The Application of Interpretative Approach in Legal Translation
• 3.3.4 The Application of Dynamic Approach in Legal Translation
• 3.3.5 The Concluding Existing Problems and the Keys to Them in Legal Translation ..
• Chapter Four Chinese-English Contract Translation
• 4.1 Special Criteria for Contract Translation
• 4.1.1 Faithfulness and Accuracy
• 4.1.2 Expressiveness and Smoothness
• 4.2 Proposals for Chinese-English Contract Translation
• 4.2.1 Thorough and Unerring comprehension of Contracts as the Basis for Translati
• 4.2.2 Translation Techniques at Lexical Level
• 4.2.2.1 Formal Big Lengthy Word
• 4.2.2.2 Prevalent Use of the Auxiliary verbs shall
• 4.2.2.3 Professional Expressions and Idioms
• 4.2.3 Translation Techniques at syntactical level
• 4.2.3.1 Heavy use of conditional adverbials
• 4.2.3.2 Frequent use of attributive clause
• 4.2.3.3 Methods about translating sentence without subject
• 4.2.4 Translation Techniques at Semantic Level
• 4.2.4.1 Consistency in Translation of Technical Terms and Key Words
• Chapter Five Suggestion
• 5.1 Suggestion
• 5.1.1 Theory and practice on translation
• 5.1.2 Strong Sense of Responsibility
• 5.1.3 Bilingual Proficiency
• 5.1.4 Essential Professional Knowledge
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Acknowledgements
• Resume